{"id":112631,"date":"2020-07-20T14:34:24","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T18:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=112631"},"modified":"2020-07-20T14:34:24","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T18:34:24","slug":"composting-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/composting-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Composting for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no doubt that <\/span>composting <\/span>has become one of the most popular trends in both the sustainability and gardening communities. It is a powerful, budget-friendly tool for gardeners who want their flowers or vegetable patches to thrive without the use of harsh chemical fertilizers, and it is an appealing process for those trying to reduce their kitchen and yard waste significantly. While you may assume that <\/span>composting <\/span>is only for professionals or people with acres of land, homemade compost is relatively easy to produce and can be created no matter the size of your property \u2013 even apartment dwellers can take part. If you want to learn <\/span>how <\/span>to make your own nutrient-rich soil and help eliminate unnecessary waste, read on as we offer tips on <\/span>how <\/span>anyone can <\/span>start composting<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Compost Ingredients<\/b><\/h3>\n

When you <\/span>start composting <\/span>from scratch, keep in mind that you need a mixture of \u201cgreen\u201d and \u201cbrown\u201d biodegradable materials to get the right balance of nitrogen and carbon to successfully complete the decomposition process. \u201cGreen\u201d materials include much of your typical kitchen waste, including vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and fruit scraps. <\/span>EatingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> cautions that those learning <\/span>how to<\/span> compost at home should not include \u201canimal products such as dairy, bones, and meat, which can attract pests\u201d or \u201coily foods such as mayonnaise, peanut butter, salad dressing or vegetable oils\u201d because they are challenging to decompose.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you live in a home with a grass-covered yard, toss in grass clippings as part of your \u201cgreen\u201d blend. While flowers can be included in your <\/span>composting<\/span>, <\/span>EatingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> warns against \u201ccommercially grown cut flowers, which often contain dyes and chemicals.\u201d\u00a0If you have used heavy pesticides on your yard, keep that waste out of your compost because the chemicals themselves won\u2019t be broken down during the <\/span>composting <\/span>process. Have you just completed a significant weeding of your yard? Good news! You can include the weeds. However, <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> does recommend avoiding <\/span>composting <\/span>with \u201cweeds bearing seeds\u201d as they can grow in your compost pile or be spread wherever you use your finished compost. For the same reason, the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> advises against incorporating \u201cdiseased or pest-ridden plants.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrown\u201d ingredients can include fallen leaves, twigs, lint, sawdust, and shredded newspaper. If you happen to have easy access to hay, that can also be employed as a \u201cbrown\u201d element. For people who have despaired about not being allowed to recycle shredded bits of office paper or pizza boxes, despair no more! Both can be incorporated as \u201cbrown\u201d ingredients into your compost, provided the boxes are broken down into small pieces. For those adding newspaper, <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> recommends that \u201cit doesn\u2019t form a mat\u2014be sure to avoid glossy or colored paper.\u201d\u00a0Also, bio-plastic products may indicate that they are biodegradable, but they really should be left to commercial <\/span>composting <\/span>services.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you can <\/span>start<\/span> composting <\/span>with these elements alone, <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> suggests having a quantity of neutral soil on hand \u2013 the exact amount will depend on the size of your <\/span>composting <\/span>pile. Why? The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> recommends adding \u201csoil in the middle of the pile \u2026 to protect the compost while supplying the organisms needed for the breakdown process.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Composting <\/b>Methods<\/b><\/h3>\n

Start <\/span>by determining which <\/span>composting <\/span>process makes the most sense for you and your space. Anaerobic <\/span>composting <\/span>(\u201ccold <\/span>composting<\/span>\u201d) is the easiest process, but it is best suited for large properties. As <\/span>EatingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> explains: \u201c[Anaerobic <\/span>composting<\/span>] involves piling the greens and browns and letting nature handle the decomposition process unaided.\u201d\u00a0And while it is easy, it can produce a pile that emits an earthy smell of decay, and it will take considerable time for the decomposition process to complete (up to two years, in many cases).<\/span><\/p>\n

Worm <\/span>composting <\/span>(also known as Vermi<\/span>composting<\/span>) is a process that introduces worms into the <\/span>composting <\/span>pile or bin to speed along decomposition, rather than relying on the organic material alone. In fact, \u201cworm boxes\u201d have become increasingly popular among apartment dwellers and those trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle. Worm <\/span>composting <\/span>bins need to be kept inside to avoid worms dying when temperatures dip during the colder months or the thermometer climbs in the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The aerobic approach is the most popular for those who have the space for <\/span>composting <\/span>bins, either ones purchased or built. The main difference in this method versus the anaerobic one is that it requires periodic \u201cturning\u201d of the <\/span>composting <\/span>pile to introduce oxygen. As <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> explains: \u201cTurning the compost helps promote oxygen flow and releases the heat that builds during decomposition \u2013 aim for a temperature between 90\u00b0 and 140\u00b0F.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Special Equipment<\/b><\/h3>\n

When people learn <\/span>how to start composting<\/span>, often their first question is whether or not they require special bins. The answer entirely depends on which method you want to use. Worm bins do need containers, but you can easily create ones out of plastic bins that you may already own. With the help of a drill, a small amount of screening, and glue, you will have containers ready for the introduction of your waste material, neutral soil, and the Red Wigglers. For those pursuing cold <\/span>composting<\/span>, Red Wigglers can also be introduced into the free-standing pile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anaerobic and aerobic approaches do not require any special equipment, and, in most cases, you can start right now with the materials you have. You need enough space to keep the growing pile thriving and, ideally, away from people, as the smell may be mildly off-putting. You may want to invest in a tarp to protect it from high winds. If you are handy, you can quickly build a <\/span>composting <\/span>bin from wood scraps and mesh; however, <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> advises that \u201cusing a closed bin is best to maintain moisture levels for the compost \u2014 especially in extreme climates\u2026.\u201d\u00a0You can purchase a variety of simple bin options, including two-door models that allow for easy removal of finished compost, as well as the addition of fresh, biodegradable material. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> recommends placing your bin in a space that enjoys a happy balance of sun and shade, while also allowing for the easy addition of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

As apartment dwellers have turned to increasingly environmentally friendly approaches to daily living, <\/span>composting <\/span>technology has become more sophisticated. As experts tell <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a>: \u201cPeople who don\u2019t have a sprawling yard can buy small, odorless compost containers that fit easily in kitchen spaces\u2026.\u201d\u00a0Higher-end kitchen models take up very little space and can create enriched soil in just a few hours. They also claim to reduce meat scraps, some dairy, and bones, unlike standard, non-commercial <\/span>composting <\/span>approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Start Composting<\/b><\/h3>\n

Begin your <\/span>composting <\/span>pile with an airy layer of \u201cbrown\u201d ingredients, for instance, a base of fallen leaves. Next, add a smaller segment of greens and a scoop (or shovel) of neutral soil into the mix. The exact ratio of \u201cbrown\u201d to \u201cgreen\u201d somewhat depends on the actual ingredients, but <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> recommends that you \u201ccontinue layering browns and greens in a two-to-one ratio, ending with a layer of brown.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You will want to keep your <\/span>composting <\/span>pile moist, but not sopping wet as that could impede proper decomposition. You don\u2019t want to see a lot of water dripping through the pile, and you do want to keep outdoor bins (or loose piles) protected from the rain. <\/span>EatingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> suggests adding sawdust to bring the pile back into balance if you feel your <\/span>composting <\/span>material has become too wet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have chosen the aerobic approach, you will want to turn the pile periodically. You can use a pitchfork, a shovel, a lawn rake or a hand, gardening rake (or whatever device allows you to turn the pile easily). This is critical as \u201cturning provides oxygen for the microorganisms and makes for a rapid, even decomposition,\u201d according to <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finished Compost<\/b><\/h3>\n

How<\/span> do you know when your compost is ready to be used in your garden, around your trees or on your lawn? <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> advises that a finished compost is \u201cdark brown, free of recognizable ingredients, and safe to smell.\u201d\u00a0While faster than \u201ccold <\/span>composting<\/span>\u201d which can take up to two years, aerobic outdoor \u201cturning\u201d <\/span>composting <\/span>will take at least a few months, even without sharp changes in temperature. Naturally, worm bins and high-tech apartment composters will make this process dramatically faster. But whatever you do, do not try to use compost that is not yet finished. As the experts at <\/span>EatingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> warn, unfinished compost can be toxic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that you have learned <\/span>how to start composting<\/span>, it\u2019s time to begin! While the process can take time, you\u2019ll love not only having nutrient-rich, organic soil but knowing that you have significantly reduced the amount of the kitchen and yard waste going into landfills each year.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"